Louisiana House Speaker Taylor Barras scuttled an attempt to increase the forecast for incoming state revenue, insisting his decision is based on prudent policy rather than blocking Gov. John Bel Edwards from including a teacher pay raise in his budget proposal.

It's the third straight month Barras or his stand-in has rejected economists' recommendations to the Revenue Estimating Conference to increase estimates by up to $138 million this year and up to $126 million in the next fiscal year beginning July 1.

The four-person panel that includes Barras, R-New Iberia, Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, LSU economist Jim Richardson and Edwards' Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne must agree unanimously to change a forecast up or down.

The speaker said he would like to support a teacher pay raise if the money comes through, noting his wife is a retired teacher, but said, "Setting up the expectation for a teacher pay raise (now) is premature."

"We're facing a great deal of uncertainty," said Barras, pointing particularly to federal income tax changes. "I'm confident we can make a better decision (this spring)."

Dardenne accused Barras of playing politics to stymie Edwards, who is a Democrat.

"This state wisely (created the REC) to avoid political games," Dardenne said. "We all know the funding will (eventually) be recognized so we're just playing games right now.

"It's a blow against proper planning and creates uncertainty for teachers in the state."

The Louisiana Constitution requires the governor to present an executive budget proposal in February.

Without the adjustment, Edwards won't be able to include teacher pay raises without cutting elsewhere because he can only include revenue that has been recognized by the REC.

Edwards has said securing raises for teachers and school support workers is his top priority this year.

If the Revenue Estimating Conference waits until March or April to recognize a revenue increase, the lawmakers can fund a teacher pay raise on their own when they go into the Regular Legislative Session beginning April 8.

"We're reverting to allow politics to control what has been a data-driven, fact-based decision," Dardenne said. "This is unprecedented."

But Barras said it's up to the REC to decide what month it approves revenue adjustments.